San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-31

and having come OFF unscathed from
the encounter, | may justly conclude
that my heart is cupid-proof, and so /
journey on in middle-aged meditation
fancy free" | am sure i could have
made one woman happy, If | had the
chance, but never did. 1t is too late
now, so must be content with making
myself happy, thing not so easy as 1t
looks, for this work-a-day world is full
of briars, even for old bachelors. 1t is
fortunate that have no membranes,
for my nerves are not strong; the least
bother interieres with my digestion,
although, if people will let me alone,
am peptic enough. / have only one
relative in the world--a nephew, my
poor sisters only son. Poor sOull how
she used to dote upon the boyl But she
died suddenly, and her pension with
her, so | found myself the natural
guardian of a bright handsome young
fellow, but as impetuous and self
wifled as a loving mother could make
him. / had no desire to avoid the
responsibility, for am the last man in
the world to shirk duty-and besides
| felt great affection for him; never
theless we managed to quarrel, al
though it was certainly not my fault.
We got on together remarkably well
for some time, until | decided must
get him something to do, and natural
" with my experience | was the fittest
Judge of what was best for him. A re-
markable good opening was offered me
for Charlie-that's the boys name-in
the Office of an eminent firm of solicit
tors. l made the arrangements with
out consulting my nephew, thinking it
would be apleasant surprise to him; but
such is the perversity of youth that he
actually scoffed at the idea declaring
that he would rather enlist for soldier
than perch himself on an office-stool.
l was very much disguised, for had
been praising the young mans zeal and
aptitude to the partners in prophetic
terms. Now, Charlie has been dab
bling in art in an amateurish way for
some time, and although | could see he
had talent-for l am man of artistic
discernment-he had never learned to
draw correctly.
Then what the deuce do you intend
to do for a livingY said / angrily.
Il mean to take to art" said he,
blushing little.
art indeed" cried l sarcastically;
you don't call those COMPOUNDED daubs
of yours artl"
Hardly yet" said he, getting redder,
"but hope to-"
"Do you expect people will be fools
enough to buy any picture you're likely
to paint?"
all wait and see," said he, "at any
rate, I'd rather be bad artist than a
bad attorney. At least can't cheat
anybody"
Not unless you find some one green
enough to buy one of your pictures" l
answered, "and that's not likely"
The dispute at this point becomes a
little indistinct. l was exceedingly
angry and suffering from slight at
tack of govt. / fancy, however, L told
Charlie he might 90 to the deuce for
aught / cared, and he seemed to take
me at my word, for he left the house
and have not seen him since.
have learned, however, that he has
been earning precariouS livelihood by
giving drawing lessons, and am told he
declares he would rather go to the
workhouse than be burden on his rel
atives. Strange he should speak of me
in the plural! How disrespectful it
soundsl
1t is two years ago that he has left
me. Often see my sisters eyes look
ing at me reproachfully, and how will
lingly would kill the fatted calf for
the prodigal if he. would give me a
chance.
Why cannot the boy put his pride in
his pocket and ask me to forgive himf